This morning the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, which runs the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan announced that it will be restricting operations with the Afghan National Army and Afghan Police.

From now, the operations will have to be authorised by senior commanders.

William Hague, was speaking to the on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

Liberal Democrat Menzies Campbell put it to the Foreign Secretary that this was a change in strategy.

“No,” replied the Mr Hague.

“Well it’s a change in tactics then,” suggested Mr Campbell.

“Not even that” came the reply.

Change in practice? No.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, who today insisted there was no change in Government policy in Afghanistan. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

But despite the many denials it is a change and appears to have taken the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond by surprise.

When he updated MPs in the House of Commons yesterday he said the UK military would continue to train the Afghan army and police telling the House: “We cannot and we will not allow the process to be derailed.”